At the Kyiv International Forum on Cybersilience 2026, Serhii Konyushok, Deputy Head of the Institute (for Scientific Work) at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’s Institute of Cyber Security and Information Systems (ISZZI) outlined the key challenges in training personnel for the cybersecurity sector and presented practical approaches used by the Institute.
Analyzing the experience of repelling full-scale aggression, he noted that human capital is far more important than technology, infrastructure, and everything else, as it is human resources that have become the key factor in the country’s resilience.
“The only reason we are now holding a Ukrainian cyber forum in Ukrainian in Kyiv, Ukraine, is that we surprised the enemy with our people. They knew about our technology; they had an idea of our infrastructure. However, the reason they are not here yet is our people—our human capital,” noted Serhiy Konyushok.
He highlighted the dynamic nature of the challenges emerging in the modern world and the need for a rapid response to them. According to him, the professional standards developed by the State Special Communications Service since 2021 have become a tool that allows for the alignment of market demands with the content of educational programs.
At the same time, one of the most successful solutions for improving the quality of specialist training is the Institute’s implementation of a practical training model for master’s students, where they work full-time twice a week for a year in State Special Communications Service departments.
“In this way, master’s students become familiar with the workplace and production processes, their future team, and the regulatory framework. Thanks to this, the very next day after graduation, a young specialist walks into the office and knows exactly what to do there,” said the deputy head of the Institute.
Serhiy Konyushok also dismissed the stereotype that cybersecurity is a purely male field. According to him, women in this field are not merely present but also demonstrate leadership qualities.
“Over 20 percent of our Institute’s higher education students are women. They regularly win professional competitions. My female colleagues have also already spoken on stage at this forum,” emphasized Serhiy Konyushok.